Council President Roderick Royal asked Bell to honor the policy of seeking a 'public purpose' for all spending. Under that process the council makes the declaration then votes to allocate public funds. But such was not the case this year when $109,000 in public money was spent for entertainment during classic, including two concerts, hotel rooms and rental furniture.

"That would help us stay in order and it would also keep us on target in terms of transparency for the city and how city funds are being expended," Royal said.

Council members neither saw nor approved any of the spending for entertainment costs, including $6,700 for hotel rooms and $3,000 to rent furniture.

The total city tab for the event topped $583,000 including contractual agreements. The entertainment was not a part of the contractual arrangement.

"Mr. Bentley keeps changing the terms of the law and we don't want that to continue to happen," said Councilman Steven Hoyt. "We have to be responsible and transparent in this process."

The controversy in 2011 centered on the council passing a public purpose declaration but giving no specific spending amount, which Bell used to justify more than $169,000 in entertainment spending including food and $15,000 in drapery rental for a VIP-only cabana.

Bentley, in his latest written opinion released from the mayor's office, said Bell didn't need new permission from the council.

Royal said the conflicts cast a negative light on the popular sporting and social event and could be avoided. Hoyt said the council should discuss the issue in a committee meeting.

"These are taxpayers' dollars. We need to be accountable," Hoyt said. "We don't have any problem spending. We just need to know what you're spending it on."

Birmingham City Council member Steven Hoyt.

Following the 2011 controversy, the council passed a resolution prohibiting itself from enacting any measure that waived its responsibility to approve spending over $10,000. But Hoyt, who sponsored the policy, said Bell's action bypassed the council and circumvented the new rule.